Page 91 of Fire

I think I hear Mercury mutter,That was so fucking hot, behind us, but as her big brother, I try to pretend I didn’t.

Tanner’s face is flushed with anger. His fists clench tightly at his sides. “No, what you are is a joke.” He scoffs. “You think I don’t know who you are. Who you really are? Some washed-up Scottish nobleman forgotten by his family, who parades around like some cheap?—”

“That’s enough.” I step in because I’m fucking done with this pretentious asshole and his whole Richie Rich attitude.

Asher raises a hand, holding me off. His expression is calm and collected. He even manages an amused grin as he turns his attention back to Tanner. “It’s Lord, actually,” he states, taking a quiet step forward, with purposeful intent. Tanner falters. “My title? Well, my father’s I guess, but you already know that. Didn’t you?”

Tanner’s face flushes scarlet red.

“If you’re going to trash-talk me, at least get the details right. And since you brought it up, I’m not just a washed-up nobleman. I’m a washed-up royal,” he says with a casual shrug, as if it’s a totally normal thing to say. “My great-great-grandmother was a cousin to the queen. I’m like thirty-ninth in line for the throne. Mad, isn’t it?” His eyes narrow at Tanner. “Fortunately, I don’t need to be king to throw your ass out of here.”

He motions to a security guard, and Tanner turns to Zara.

“I never wanted you!” he shouts as the guard grabs him. “My father needed to cover up a scandal and said voters would love a Cinderella romance. But you’re no princess, Zara.”

His words echo through the hall, bouncing around in my head. I can’t unhear them.

Can’t let them go.

“I’ll be right back.”

She grabs my hand. I turn around and see the fear in her eyes. “Don’t do it,” she says. “He’s not worth it, and his father will ruin you, Hen. His reach is too far and?—”

I silence her with a kiss. It’s quick and hard. “I won’t let him ruin anything, but I can’t let him just walk away after what he said, Zara. I just can’t.”

She gives one quick nod, and before she has a chance to change her mind, I dart off in the direction that Carlos, the security guard, went, knowing I don’t have much time. Our run-in with Tanner cost us precious time, and now we’re down to the wire before showtime.

But I have to do this.

I appreciate what Asher did back there, but if I let Tanner leave this building with those words still ringing in the air. I need Zara to know no one is allowed to treat her that way ever again.

Unlike this scumbag, I will always defend her.

I will always be on her side.

“Carlos!” I holler down the hallway. “Hold up!”

He’s somehow managed to shut Tanner up for the moment, but the minute they both turn around, he starts back up again. “Oh, seriously? What now?”

“I just need a minute with him,” I tell Carlos.

“Okay, but no fighting. Your girl’s busy enough without having to patch you up too.”

I snort and point a finger over at Tanner. “You think I couldn’t takehim? Besides, that piece of shit is my girl’s ex-husband. Pretty sure he’d deserve it.”

“No shit? That whole scene back there makes a hell of a lot more sense now.” He just shakes his head, giving Tanner adisapproving glare. “You take all the time you need. And by all the time, I mean two minutes.” He glances at his watch and winces. “Make it one.”

He takes a step back, and I turn my attention to Tanner. The smug look he’s sporting makes me want to hit him, despite my promise to Zara.

“So…you here to piss all over your territory and show me what a big man you are?”

Okay, now I really want to hit him.

“What bothers you the most, Tanner? That she’s happy? Or that she’s happy with me?”

His jaw tics. “It’ll never last, you know? This thing between you. If she wasn’t happy with me, you sure as hell don’t have a chance.”

“Did you even try?” I demand, raising my voice in anger. “Or did you just think your presence alone was enough to keep her happy? Because that’s not love. That’s devotion, at best. But, then again, I doubt someone like you would even know the difference.”